Diane M. Fontaine

Diane M. (Girouard) Fontaine, known as Dee to friends and family, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 23rd with her loved ones by her side.

Born in Keene, New Hampshire on July 18, 1951 to Arthur and Eleanor “Ellie” Girouard, Diane spent her life touching the hearts of everyone she met, a beloved matriarch to her immediate and extended family.

A 1969 graduate of Fitchburg High School, she earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1973. Soon after graduating, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Paul Fontaine. Married for 52 years, Paul and Diane lived a life centered around family, especially their two children, Nicole and Paul Jr.

Diane worked at local banks as a teller before staying home to raise her children. Alongside Paul, she helped manage the family business, Century 21 Fontaine Realty. During this time, she was recognized as Realtor of the Year and served as President of the North Central Massachusetts Board of Realtors. Together, Paul and Diane created Fontaine Real Estate School where they spent many years training a generation of Massachusetts real estate salespeople.

Her time as a real estate educator reignited her passion for teaching, leading to her career in education at St. Anna’s School and Fall Brook Elementary in Leominster, Massachusetts. She retired after 20 years of service, having impacted the lives of hundreds of Leominster students and creating lasting friendships with the teachers she worked with.

Diane found joy in reading, word games, Sunday dinners with her “chickens”, and traveling with close friends and family, especially her Cosmic Cousin, Mona. She was also an active member of her local book club. Her love for those around her was evident in every card and gift she sent, each one intended as a reminder that she was thinking of you. When her children and grandchildren told her, "I love you", her immediate reply was "I love you more."

Diane is survived by her loving husband, Paul Fontaine Sr., daughter Nicole Daly and husband Jeremy of Sterling; son Paul Fontaine Jr. and wife Sara of Fitchburg; brother Thomas Girouard Sr. and wife Jean of Fitchburg; and the grandchildren her world revolved around: Ellie and Julia Daly, and Helena and Gabriel Fontaine. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Eleanor (Lunetta) Girouard.

Though the sudden loss of Diane is deeply felt by many, she leaves behind a legacy of love and generosity that lives on in the hearts of all who knew her. Diane’s life was a testament to her dedication to family and those she loved. In her life, she loved YOU more.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 from 10am-12pm at Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, Fitchburg, MA. Burial will be held privately at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, and in Diane’s spirit of giving, please consider donating to a charity in her honor that is meaningful to your family.